Bholsa

About

Ardnahoe is a young Islay distillery founded in 2018 by Stewart Laing and his sons Andrew and Scott, the family behind independent bottler Hunter Laing. Bholsa is one of the distillery's core releases and signals a clear direction: a robust, heavily peated Islay that makes no apologies for its character. Bholsa matures predominantly in ex-oloroso casks, lending the whisky a rich, dark complexion. Bottled at 50% ABV with no age statement, it marries Islay's full, smoky identity with the warmth of sherry-cask maturation. On the nose, peat smoke, citrus fruits and green apple emerge alongside walnut and red fruit undertones. The palate is smoky, peppery and meaty—no delicate dram here, but layered with honey and toffee notes. The finish lingers long and smoky, with iodine, seaweed and a salty, umami-driven fade that is quintessentially Islay.

Flavour Profile